Festool Router Table

[jar45]

I am a novice, hobbyist, DIY woodworker and need ( want) a serious router table.  I'm wondering if the Complete Festool table ( CMS-GE) would be the best way to go in the end.  I would like one table that would do all projects and presently would not mind having to remove the  Router for non table applications.  I do own a OF 1400 EQ Router and the CT26E dust extractor.

Thanks
John

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

John,

Welcome to the forum.

As a Festool employee, I'm not sure you're going to get an unbiased opinion. So, I'll defer to the other forum members to answer your question.

However, I will remind you that with all of our tools, including the CMS, you have a 30-day no risk money back guarantee to try it out for yourself. If it doesn't meet your expectations, just return it.

Shane

 

[ccarrolladams]

I am a novice, hobbyist, DIY woodworker and need ( want) a serious router table.  I'm wondering if the Complete Festool table ( CMS-GE) would be the best way to go in the end.  I would like one table that would do all projects and presently would not mind having to remove the  Router for non table applications.  I do own a OF 1400 EQ Router and the CT26E dust extractor.

Thanks
John

[welcome] to The FOG, John,

Well, I am not a Festool employee, just a cabinet shop owner with a mass of Festools.

The Festool CMS outside the USA is a modular system allowing several kinds of tools to be table mounted.

What is important for you is that the CMS is the only table designed to mount an OF1400 easily. Your CT26 is a very good choice of dust extractor for the OF1400 either used conventionally or in the CMS.

The CMS is designed to be portable, because especially in Europe a large percentage of woodworkers do not have shops. They work on site. Making a system like the CMS sturdy and yet light is a compromise. It does tend to increase the cost, but you already own the router and dust extractor.

 

[Jaybolishes]

It's quite a joy to use, with fantastic dust collection.  It's features and adjustability, coupled with the fact you can move it around easily has made it one of the best purchases I've made hands down.  It's very impressive and I highly doubt you'll return it once you use it.  I have a 1400  that stays in it always, but goodness is taking it out fast and easy.  Under a minute if you rush.

 

[erock]

  If you're in the market for a router table then check out the Incra router table with the wonder fence and Master lift and a dedicated router for the table ( I have a PC 7518 in mine).

I've never used the Festool CMS router table, but I wouldn't want to go through the hassle of installing the OF1400 every time I wanted to use the table…or take the OF1400 out of the table

every time I wanted to use it free hand.  The one feature I think I would like about the Festool CMS table would be the sliding table…….but that's about it.  I think I would consider the Festool

CMS if the other inserts where ever available here in the states and I could use the OF2200 with it.  For the price of the CMS…I don't need the portability….and I want a powerful router in a

router table.

I really like the Incra fence with the built in dust collection and the ability to dial it in with 1/32" increments.  I've added a Incra under the table dust box with the new ring inserts for just

about 98% dust collection when using my Delta dust collector. 

Again…I never used the Festool router table….I'm just not impressed from what I've seen.  Do some shopping around.  Make a check list of your needs and wants in a router table.

Eric

 

[nclemmons]

I had a homemade router table for years with a PC690 router and it worked great.  Then I upgraded to a Jessum table and fence with their Router Lift using a PC variable speed router.  Jessum makes excellent tables and lifts.

Last year I sold the Jessum and switched to the Festool CMS.  I did it because of the dust collection and ease of moving the table when I needed to relocate it for long or larger work.  I also use extension wings on it that also fit my Kapex and MFT/3.  I've been very pleased with the CMS table.  I do have a dedicated 1400 router in it and use a 1010 for non-table use most of the time.

I debated the availability of other inserts for saws, but in the end went with the CMS largely for compatibility and dust control.

I've found it to be excellent in the area of dust control alone with great usability and precision - I think it's on par with the Jessum in accuracy but far better in the area of dust collection and portability.

neil

 

[jar45]

Thanks for the all the comments.  
I have been looking at router tables for sometime.  I do own a 30 year old, bench-top Craftsman router table and 1/2 hp router.  Using these has been frustrating.  The 2014 Fine Woodworking got me interested in the  General International Excalibur router Table.  It got an excellent review including dust control, the CMS GE not so much.  The complete Excalibur cast iron table with lift was going to run about $1,300.  I would still need a good router for about $200 - 300.  So for me  the cost is somewhat of a toss-up.   I really like the dust control when using the OF 1400 and other Festool products which is why I remain sitting on the fence.   I really don't wish to have health problem resulting from a hobby. But if the CMS GE is going to limit me exploring the building of raised panels, possibly interior doors and exterior shutters, then maybe it is not so good of an idea.  I have read comments about the OF 2200 not being adaptable to the CMS GE as one short coming. 

Again Thanks for comments

John  

 

[Motown]

I have the OF1400 and the MFK 700 but decided to go with the Incra set up on my table saw and power it with a Porter Cable 7518, 3 1/4 HP, that is dedicated to the table. For me personally, I decided to go with the Incra because its easy to bang out dovetails, box joints, etc. That said, the CMS looks like it has some amazing features...dust collection, portability, etc.

 

[peter halle]

Moving a router in and out of a table if it is a joy to use outside of the table like the 1400 is an extra process.  The CMS setup is pretty quick.  Using vertical panel raising bits in the 1400 will achieve great results.  Yes there are fewer bit offerings out there.

I don't regret getting mine.

Peter

 

[Dwayne]

Any experience with CMS-VL?  I having been thinking about this one for space saving in our shop. Connect to our MFT

 

[BMH]

But if the CMS GE is going to limit me exploring the building of raised panels, possibly interior doors and exterior shutters, then maybe it is not so good of an idea.  I have read comments about the OF 2200 not being adaptable to the CMS GE as one short coming. 

Just came back from a Festool router class and the CMS GE was handling raised panels with no problem using the 1400. I have been using the CMS for three months now and can't be happier. The major advantage is that it ties in to the rest of my festools including the Kapex extensions. I have been running 8 foot long 3/4 inch by 3/4 inch material to make round over trim with no problem. I have been jointing some boards on it and routed some hand rails using 2x4 material. The best part it is portable and dust collection is impressive.

Bruce

 

[copcarcollector]

I have a Kreg router table with their lift and fence, though I have purchased an Incra lift to replace the Kreg as I like the Incra lift mechanism more. I have very little use on the Kreg, but do like the fact that the table has a T track, wheras the Festool does not. I have the Incra I Box jig and don't think there would be an easy way to use it on the Festool table, nor other similar jigs that require a T track in the table surface.

I did buy the Festool CMS as well (man Festool is an addiction!), but have yet to set it up. I plan to dedicate a 1400 router and CT 26 when I finally get it all set up.

 

[Tinker]

I have used a craftsman table for years with a small Milwaukee or PC 680 mounted.  I actually had reasonable dust collection and it was an easy set up to use.  The table was very light and easy to set up on any workbench and to store in any out of the way corner when not in use. 

I bought the CMS GE the first day it was available.  I have been very pleased with that toy, especially with the improved DC.  I am glad I had the experience of using the old craftsman "pro" model as the experience has made the use of my CMS so much simpler to me.  I think the learning curve might have been a little frustrating had my first experience with router table been the CMS.  By now, I am to a point where I am much more comfortable with its use and am able to experiment a lot more than I could with the old craftsman and smaller router.  I have my 1400 mounted semi permanent.  when using hand held, my go to is my OF 1000.  I still have the old Milwaukee (I think it is a 5625) set up permanently in the old craftsman table waiting in a dusty corner waiting for the seldom times when it is good to have two tables set up at same time.  Now I am used to the CMS, I would not want to be without it.

I am not so enthused about the hold downs that come with the CMS.  They are a big departure from the old feather boards I have used for many moons on both tablesaw, bandsaw, drillpress and router table.  I have just installed JE stock rollers that I am more comfortable in using.  There are still operations where the CMS hold downs will work better than the JE's.  That is on the CMS.  with the old craftsman table, I do not find such an option.

I have a JE table with PC 890 mounted.  I have almost never used that.  The whole thing just takes up way too much space in my shop and is heavy to move around.  It is clumsy to hide away without removing the router.  Both the CMS and the craftsman are light enough and small enough to move almost anywhere.  The craftsman table I never remove the router, no matter where I move it to.  The CMS is even easier to hide.  I just disconnect the DC hoses and power cord, pick the table assembly with router attached and mount against a wall.  The table is light weight enough that it can be carried to any where in the shop that is out of the way. 

With all of the accessories that I have with the GE, it does actually take up more space than even my JE table.  Even the storage space takes more room.  I am building a box with drawers to mount the CMS on.  When completed, all of the accessories and 1/2" bits will have a storage space mounted on wheels. That is part of my overall rearrangement of my shop. 

Over all, now that i have it, i would not want to part with my CMS.  I am glad i had experience with other tables to make me appreciate the Festoy.
Tinker

 

[Sparktrician]

Any experience with CMS-VL?  I having been thinking about this one for space saving in our shop. Connect to our MFT

Just note that you can't use the extension tables with the CMS-VL.  Given that the VL requires an MFT to stabilize it, it seems to me to be less of a space-saver and more restrictive of what one can do with it.  I'm sticking with the CMS-GE. 

 

[Monyr6]

Love the table.  Anyone used the ibox jig with the table?